MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) released its Kwik Trip Athletes of the Week for the week of Sept. 14-20 with Taylor Sussner representing UW-River Falls as the Football Defensive Athlete of the Week.

Sussner, a sophomore defensive back from Chaska, Minn., and a D3football.com Preseason All-American, helped lead a dominant defensive effort in UW-River Falls' 31-14 win over No. 6 Wartburg College on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Waverly, Iowa, totaling six tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and two pass breakups.

His fourth-down sack and forced fumble ended a Wartburg possession deep in Falcon territory. The UW-River Falls defense limited Wartburg to 212 total yards, including just 35 rushing yards, and held the Knights scoreless in the second half.

Receiving his first career WIAC weekly honor, Sussner is UWRF's second WIAC Athlete of the Week award winner this season, following Cade Fitzgerald, who was recognized as the Offensive Player of the Week a week prior.

The No. 2/3-ranked Falcons (3-0) have a bye this week before opening WIAC play Saturday, Oct. 3, at nationally ranked UW-Whitewater.